Binding partners of the placental growth factor, especially antibodies directed against the placental growth factor, and production and use thereof

Abstract

The invention relates to binding partners of the placental growth factor (or placenta growth factor, PIGF), especially antibodies directed against the placental growth factor, and production and use thereof.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An isolated antibody, wherein the antibody is selected from the group consisting of
 monoclonal antibody 05-164/054, which is produced by a hybridoma cell line deposited under Deposit Accession No. DSM ACC2770, 
 monoclonal antibody 05-164/042, which is produced by a hybridoma cell line deposited under Deposit Accession No. DSM ACC2771, 
 monoclonal antibody 05-164/038, which is produced by a hybridoma cell line deposited under Deposit Accession No. DSM ACC2772, and 
 monoclonal antibody 05-164/012, which is produced by a hybridoma cell line deposited under Deposit Accession No. DSM ACC2773. 
 
     
     
       2. A binding assay for detection of human Placental Growth Factor (PIGF) not bound by Flt-1 receptor (free PIGF) in a sample, comprising the steps of:
 (a) bringing the antibody of  claim 1  into contact with the sample, 
 (b) determining a binding complex comprising free PIGF from the sample and the antibody qualitatively or quantitatively. 
 
     
     
       3. A test kit for implementation of a binding assay for detection of human Placental Growth Factor (PIGF) not bound by Flt-1 receptor (free PIGF) in a sample, wherein the test kit comprises the antibody of  claim 1  and reagents for detecting formation of a binding complex comprising free PIGF bound to the antibody. 
     
     
       4. An isolated antibody fragment of the antibody of  claim 1 , wherein the antibody fragment specifically binds to a peptide consisting of the amino acid sequence RSGDRPSYVELT (SEQ ID NO: 37). 
     
     
       5. A binding assay for detection of human Placental Growth Factor (PIGF) not bound by Flt-1 receptor (free PIGF) in a sample, comprising the steps of:
 (a) bringing the antibody fragment of  claim 4  into contact with the sample, 
 (b) determining a binding complex comprising free PIGF from the sample and the antibody fragment qualitatively or quantitatively. 
 
     
     
       6. A test kit for implementation of a binding assay for detection of human Placental Growth Factor (PIGF) not bound by Flt-1 receptor (free PIGF) in a sample, wherein the test kit comprises the antibody fragment of  claim 4  and reagents for detecting formation of a binding complex comprising free PIGF bound to the antibody fragment. 
     
     
       7. An isolated hybridoma cell line, wherein the hybridoma cell line is selected from the group consisting of
 a hybridoma cell line deposited under Deposit Accession No. DSM ACC2770, 
 a hybridoma cell line deposited under Deposit Accession No. DSM ACC2771, 
 a hybridoma cell line deposited under Deposit Accession No. DSM ACC2772, and 
 a hybridoma cell line deposited under Deposit Accession No. DSM ACC2773.